- First locally built METRONET C-series train will enter service on Monday April 8
- C-series train will operate on the Mandurah and Joondalup train lines
- A total 246 new C-series railcars will be locally built and manufactured in WA
- The $257 million contract to expand the Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing and Maintenance Facility has been awarded
- Community can enter a lottery to ride first train on Sunday April 7
In a major milestone for local manufacturing in Western Australia, the State's first locally built and manufactured METRONET C-series train is now ready for passenger services.
The first C-series train will commence services on Monday April 8, operating on the Mandurah and Joondalup Train Lines.
The new 143-metre train is fitted out with close to 400 seats and is capable of carrying more than 1000 passengers. Once operational, the six-car C-series train will manage more than 103,000 daily passenger boardings.
Passengers will be able to enjoy additional doors for better access, modern passenger display information and USB ports under select seats in the six-car sets.
When the first new C-series train enters operation, it will be the first locally manufactured and built train to join the rail network in more than 30 years, with the State Government currently meeting its 50 per cent local content target, a significant increase on the two to three per cent local content on the previous B-series under the Liberal-National Government.
The decision to bring railcar manufacturing back to WA was a key commitment of the Labor Government and is helping to create employment opportunities and grow manufacturing capabilities within the State's rail industry.
To commemorate the occasion, the first C-series train will take part in a commemorative 'first journey' on Sunday April 7. Community members will be able to enter a lottery to take part, with 150 places up for grabs.
There are currently more than 150 people directly employed at the METRONET Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing Facility.
Each C-series train is being built and manufactured locally at the Bellevue Railcar Manufacturing Facility, while more than 15 WA businesses across industrial areas in Perth are working to provide components for the railcars including:
- Bogie frames (Hofmann Engineering - Bassendean);
- Battery boxes (Aerison Forrestfield);
- Pantographs (mounts on the roof of the train that connect with the overhead line) (Austbreck - Kewdale);
- Passenger seats (McConnell - Bayswater);
- Piping (Parker Hannifin - Welshpool); and
- Metallic components (Unique Metal - Wangara).
Over the duration of the 10-year railcar contract, 246 new C-series railcars (41 trains) and six new Australind railcars will be built (two trains), helping to meet the growing demand for train services.
The Government also announced today that a planned expansion of the Bellevue facility had begun, with a contract recently being awarded to EastRail.
The expansion will see new diesel maintenance facilities constructed that will support regional trains including the Prospector, Avonlink and Australind.
The expansion will also see new maintenance facilities built for the existing B-series passenger trains, including two external train wash buildings, internal cleaning roads including platforms for ease of access, additional stowage roads, and a wheel lathe facility for machining, finishing, upkeep, and restoration of train wheels.
Community members can enter the lottery to ride the first C-series train via the My Say Transport website.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"This is a really proud moment for Western Australia, with the first locally built and manufactured train ready to commence passenger services.
"Bringing local railcar manufacturing back to WA was a major undertaking, but our Government made the commitment because we knew it would drive new job opportunities, help to diversify our economy and grow the State's capabilities in the rail industry.
"It's been a really long journey to reach this point - from making the commitment in opposition, to delivering the new railcar manufacturing facility and now having the first train ready to take passengers. I am thrilled the wider community will now be able to share in this journey and jump on board the first train to be built and manufactured in WA in more than 30 years.
"When people step onboard the new C-series, it won't simply be a train journey from A to B, it will be a moment of pride in knowing the train has been built and manufactured by Western Australians for Western Australians."
